Transfer Options from Blantyre Airport to Blantyre City

Blantyre Airport (BLZ) is also known as Chileka Airport. Blantyre is the perfect base to explore beautiful places like Liwonde National Park, Thyolo Tea Estates, and Mount Mulanje. You can also visit the Museum of Malawi and explore the city’s art galleries and craft markets.

There are two main ways to get from Blantyre Airport to Blantyre city. A taxi or private transfer is the fastest option to get to the city centre and you will cover the distance of 16 km in more or less 25 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Local taxis cost around €10 (MWK 16,834) and usually have space for up to three passengers and their luggage. The alternative is to take a hotel shuttle, if that’s offered by your chosen hotel. This type of shuttle service costs around €23 (MWK 41,797) for up to three passengers, though this may vary.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Blantyre at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€10	25min	24/7
Hotel Shuttle Bus	€23	25min	24/7

How to get from Blantyre Airport to Blantyre by taxi

Taking a taxi is the easiest option to get from Blantyre Airport to downtown. Taxis are available 24/7 at Blantyre Airport and will transfer you to your hotel quickly and efficiently. If you have a long flight, you will appreciate the convenience of a door-to-door service. Due to taxis being one of the only ways to leave Blantyre Airport, we recommend you book your Blantyre Airport taxi in advance to avoid waiting in long queues.

Taxi fare from Blantyre Airport to the city centre

Taxis from Blantyre Airport are very affordable. The average cost of a taxi from Blantyre Airport to the city centre is €10 for up to 3 people. Usually, there is a base fee of €0.0022 (MWK 2) and a cost of €0.33 (MWK 200) per km travelled. However, local fares are not set, and the cost of your journey will vary depending on which driver you get and where in Blantyre you are travelling to.

If you make your taxi driver wait, the average waiting cost per hour is around the €1.10 (MWK 1,000) mark.

Cost

€10 (MWK 16,834)

Trip Duration

25 Min.

Taxis are available 24/7 or whenever flights are landing.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis operate 24/7 at Chileka Airport.

Where do I get a taxi from at Blantyre Airport?

There is a taxi rank just outside the exit. Once at the taxi rank, you will have to queue for a taxi. This taxi rank sometimes has long queues because there is no public transport service from Chileka Airport. To avoid unnecessary delays, we recommend pre-booking a fixed-price private transfer with Welcome Pickups to have a driver waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall to get you from A to B in no time.

Convenience

Taxis are readily available at Blantyre Airport 24/7 making them a convenient option that offers a comfortable and safe journey. A cab is the best option if you value speed and privacy.

Editor’s Note

Non-official unlicensed taxi drivers may approach you inside the airport; however, official providers are only found at the taxi ranks. Anyone can use their vehicle as a taxi in Blantyre so keep your safety in mind.

Useful Tips

Be aware of overcharging. Agree on a fare with your driver in advance or make sure there is a taximeter running during the trip.

Most taxis at Blantyre Airport have room for 3 passengers, but there are nearly always bigger vehicles available.

Tips are not required but a tip of around 10% is appreciated for good service.

Most taxis only accept cash payments. Make sure you have the correct change on hand.

Extra surcharges may be added on for things like excess luggage and extra passengers.

How to get from Blantyre Airport to the city centre by hotel shuttle

Many hotels provide shuttle services to and from Chileka Airport for their guests. It’s best to check with your hotel whether this service is available before you travel. This is a safe door-to-door option.

Airport shuttle buses take around 25 minutes to reach your hotel in Blantyre, but this depends on whether stops are made along the way and on traffic. You also need to factor in waiting time once you meet your driver. Some hotel shuttles are private for you and your travel companions, and others will pick up other hotel guests too, leading to long wait times – this depends entirely on your hotel’s offering, if any.

Hotel shuttle bus cost from Blantyre Airport to the city centre

Costs vary depending on which hotel you choose. Luxury hotels often charge more for airport shuttle services. The average shuttle cost is €23 (MWK 41,797) for up to 3 people. Remember that some shuttles will charge per person and some per vehicle. Make sure you check with your hotel before you travel what the exact price is and whether the service will be shared or private.

The fare is typically paid in advance or on arrival at your hotel. Sometimes, you may have to pay your driver directly, so check with your hotel and ensure you have the correct change on hand.

Cost

€23 (MWK 41,797)

Trip Duration

25 Min.

Hotel shuttles either run to order or operate by a timetable. Check with your hotel for details.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Each hotel shuttle service has different operating hours.

Where do I get a hotel shuttle from?

Shared or private hotel shuttles need to be booked directly with your hotel. The driver will either wait for you in the airport terminal with a sign or give you a meeting place outside. Here are some of the local hotels offering shuttle services:

Annie’s Lodge Blantyre
Amaryllis Hotel Blantyre
Lotus by Serendib
Protea Hotel by Marriott Blantyre Ryalls

Convenience

Airport shuttles are a very convenient mode of transportation if your chosen hotel has one. The driver will be used to the route, and you will be driven straight from the airport to your hotel. However, some shuttles are shared with other travellers, which could lead to long wait times for their flight to land. Moreover, some shuttles operate by a timetable, so you may face waits too depending on your arrival time.

Timetables

Blantyre Ryalls shuttle information

Editor’s Note

Make sure you inform your hotel in advance that you will require the shuttle service. Some only take advanced bookings.

Useful Tips

Tipping is not expected but is common for good service. The average is a tip of 10%.

Confirm with your chosen hotel where you will meet the shuttle driver.

Hotel shuttles can be an expensive option. Confirm whether the quoted price is per person or per vehicle before you travel.

Extra luggage is not usually charged.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How can I get from Blantyre Airport to Blantyre?

There are two main ways to get from Blantyre Airport to downtown. A taxi or private transfer is the fastest option to get to the city centre and will take around 25 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. The alternative is to take a hotel shuttle. To do this, you must stay at one of the hotels that offer this service, and you will often need to book in advance.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Blantyre Airport to downtown?

Taxis cost around €10 (MWK 16,834) and usually have space for three passengers. Larger taxis are nearly always available at the airport too, though those may include surcharges for extra passengers. For a fixed fare you’ll know in advance, you can always pre-book a private ride with a top-rated provider like Welcome Pickups, no matter the size of your group!

How far is Blantyre city centre from Blantyre Airport?

Blantyre Airport is 16 km from Blantyre city centre. The drive takes around 25 minutes to cover the route, depending on traffic conditions.

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How to get from Blantyre Airport to Blantyre by taxi